The Property Magazine and Media Nova go supernova

The Property Magazine and the company that published the large-format glossy magazine, Media Nova, have closed down leaving unhappy staffers and creditors in its wake.

In a letter to advertisers, owner and publisher, Anthony (Tony) Vaughan, said publishing was “suspended” after the March edition while he looked for an investor to “join with us for the next part of our journey with the title”.

“Unfortunately, and after navigating a long way through the recession that has hit our advertisers in their respective industries hard, we have hit a bump in our road. We have been unable to secure the necessary advertising support and investor interest in the magazine to continue to weather the difficult market conditions that the whole of the South African publishing industry is facing,” Vaughan said.

No trace of The Property Magazine remains, except for a series of covers in Google Images. Both the Media Nova website and the magazine’s website are gone, and its Facebook pages have been absorbed into the Sandton Magazine (another of Vaughan’s magazines, published by TGE Media) Facebook pages.

In the meantime, Vaughan has registered TGE Media with Cipro, with himself as the sole director. Its last financial details were published at the end of May 2012. He also registered another media company, Executive Publishing, in October 2012 and yet another, 6th Street Media, as well as an investment business, Dusty Moon Trading. 6th Street Media is listed on Bizcommunity as “a magazine publisher that was formed to focus on and service the need for specialist-focused publications for the travel, tourism and specialist consumer property sectors”.

All the businesses are registered to a residential address in Parkhurst, Johannesburg, and another business address, also in Parkhurst and in the same road.

It appears Media Nova, and by extension The Property Magazine, has been in trouble for some time. A source close to the business told The Media Online that freelancers and creditors have been battling to be paid since January 2013, and staff members themselves were paid late on a regular basis, with many not being paid at all as the business was wound down and the new publishing companies formed in late 2012.

A former staff member, who wants to remain anonymous, said Vaughan called employees into a meeting on 27 March 2013 to tell them the company was closing and that he was unable to pay salaries for that month. He said Media Nova would go into business rescue and would likely be liquidated. All the magazines – his own, such as Sandton Magazine, and his custom publishing titles, including SA Express’s Indwe; Akhani, the NHBRC magazine; the Cape Town Official Visitors’ Guide; the Namibia Official Visitors’ Guide and Flamingo, Air Namibia’s in-flight magazine – would trade under the banner of TGE Media.

Staff asked if he could pay them in his personal capacity or if he would sell company property to cover the salaries, both of which he refused to do.

In a letter to staff on 28 March 2013, a day after the meeting with Media Nova employees, Vaughan wrote:

Dear all,

A number of you have asked me to write or clarify the position regarding employment. I can advise the following:

1. Technically you are all still employed however Media Nova does not currently have monies available to pay salaries

2. Media Nova has not yet gone into either Business Rescue or Liquidation, we still favour business as this gives us the best chance of paying salaries and publishing TPM ongoing.

3. I cannot expect you to work without pay and as such I can confirm that no action will be taken if you feel that you cannot attend the office

4. I can provide references and will do so tomorrow but I cannot provide other legal documentation such as IRP? forms at this stage

5. A number of you have indicated that you continue to work for at least a handover, I would like to than you very much for this assistance at this difficult time

I would like to apologise again for this situation and for letting you all down in this manner, I have worked at this for nearly ten years now and will continue to do so to attempt to secure the funds for salaries.

I will keep you updated during the week.

Best, Tony

But some former staff members are not convinced. Another source said that by the end of 2012, all Media Nova invoicing was done on TGE letterheads. “Effectively all Media Nova monies have been siphoned into the TGE account, which means that the money in TGE belongs to Media Nova and therefore could pay our salaries,” the staffer said.

The source said as Vaughan told Media Nova staff they no longer had jobs, he was already advertising on Bizcommunity for two “energetic” deputy editors to “work across a number of titles, starting immediately”. This was on 5 April 2013, just days after Vaughan told Media Nova staff there was no money for salaries.

The source said he paid a Cape Town printer R60 000 to release the issue of Indwe magazine, also on 28 March – the day he told staff he couldn’t pay salaries. A few days later, on 2 April, he “made another large payment” to the same printers to release Sandton magazine, before leaving for the United Kingdom on 9 April for a holiday “despite having no money to pay his staff”.

Vaughan is listed as the deputy board chairman of the Magazine Publishers’ Association of SA (MPASA). Chairman Willem Breytenbach told The Media Online the organisation had been trying to get hold of Vaughan but that he’d “just disappeared”.

The Media Online contacted Vaughan via Facebook and asked if he’d agree to be interviewed about the demise of The Property Magazine. Vaughan agreed but has failed, to date, to answer a series of questions we submitted to him.

[Disclosure: Glenda Nevill was the launch editor of The Property Magazine, Cape Town and Johannesburg editions.]

44 Comments

Anon2232

Anthony (Tony) Vaughn, could not afford to pay staff members, he went about uncivillised methods (to say the least) ways of “retrenching” staff – forcing them to resign…. However he can afford a lavish wedding in Franchoek??? Makes one think what kind of conscience he has!!! Pathetic what people do these days!!!
Leaving people financially burdened and stressed!!
I WONDER HOW HE WOULD FEEL IF HE KNEW HIS CHILDREN WERE WITHOUT FOOD AND ESSENTIAL RESOURCES _the same way he left so many staff members stranded….
Sitting here writing this I feel sick to my stomach thinking about this whole ordeal!

2

Anon2233

Vaughn is a doos. He has no conscience. He doesn’t know half his children. He is going to see his arse very soon and then all those he has ridden roughshod over can throw a party to celebrate in Franschhoek…. light the bonfires!

debbie walters

I’ve never heard one good word about this guy! Like….not one!!! Fact: It seems the only person Tony cares about is Tony. He can try and change his name to Anthony to distance himself from it all …but really. it just makes it look all the more dirty! I wish his new wife luck, whoever she is.

5

Another victim

Have to give it to this guy. He is GOOD!!!!. He has the ability to run up printing bills last rumoured to run past R11 million. The IDC that holds a R1,8million PERSONAL SURITY on him, yet he brags about his “mate on the inside” who helps keep him off the radar. Company debtors are encouraged to pay into his personal account – more poor people who are going to get burnt!!! Yet he always lands on his feet – the new celeb wifey about to give birth to his 5th kid, should ensure he maintains his high flying lifestyle. Just wondering where the new wife stands with all this. Was there a full and franc disclosure before the wedding bells chimed???

6

baffled

Why is this man still around to torment people? I believe he’s been reported to SARS on several occasions…..What are they doing about it? Agree, surely he’s personally liable some of the debt. Every 3rd person he’s dealt with seems to be out of pocket! Where’s it all gone?

7

#Vaughangate

Media Nova has seen the most amazing talent come and go – all beaten down by this man in only months. Including a host of editors, managers and sales staff who are all now extremely successful in their own right. I laugh to myself – Vaughan was once quoted as saying “all staff are replaceable”.. great how replaceable the magazine was in the market place – REAL ESTATE is looking amazing and finally the property industry has a voice that is not lead by a fraudster. #VAUGHANGATE

8

Voetsak Vaughn

Why, why, why has no one had the guts to put this bully in his place? Are his constant threats so intimidating that his victims prefer to suffer in silence? Why have comments been deleted from this page? Is Vaughn threatening the author I wonder….. wouldn’t surprise me. Where is the law in all of this? SARS could have a field day with this guy. Time to put an end to this torment and send the man packing back to that little wet, dank, horrible island from whence he came.

9

sadperson

This is really sad, I was one of the unlucky ones employed by Media Nova and went through this whole ordeal. This man nearly ruined me financially and I have been borrowing from Peter to pay Paul and so forth. I am so glad that someone had the guts to do something about this. As they say every dog has his day and hope he gets his day soon. How can anyone get away with this.

10

Matur

Another victim

There may very well be news on this man very soon. Bullys bully until someone stops them and judged by the scores of bruised people popping up on this and other sites like Bizzcommunity – he may be very well advised to keep his several passports handy.

Anon13

He definitely had
no qualms about resorting to the most disgusting and fraudulent methods to get
his way. He has no conscience, trust me. He treated his mother like shit whilst
she was still alive, he treated people like shit if he didn’t need them anymore.
He will do anything to destroy someone both emotional, professionally in any
way he can. How would he feel if he knew
his children were without food and essential resources? He wouldn’t care – it’s
not like he was easily and willingly paying his maintenance for his 3 children
(with 2 different women) – he had to be
threatened with legal action and court orders needed to be obtained to force
him and even then his payments were late and not the correct amounts etc. He is a tyrant to say the least.

Anon13

Anon2232

Because if someone does put him in his place this time his knees wont be in a temporary cast it will be in a permanent wheelchair. His created such a deep hatered and resentment in so many people that some people wish nothing but demise on this d**chebag!!!
I for one hope to see him soon so i can kick him in the balls (not that he has any) but i would love to just let Ms Peters know just what an idiot her hubby dear really is. As for his kids that are subjected to having an idiot for a father BE GRATEFUL YOU ARE NOT EXPOSED TO HIM AT ALL!!! YOU MAY JUST BE TAINTED BY HIS BAD KARMA!!! After all the sin of the parent always falls onto the child.
Shame poor kids and innocent mothers….
Oh and Tony didnt you know that AIDS is a reality not a fairytale stop sleeping around making children and concentrate on being a better MAN and BUSINESSMAN!!!! Or maybe you are just better suited to sit on the back of a horse and cart pulling old cow crap around in your hometown!!! You worthless sack of WORM VOMIT!!!

Anon13

Anon13

Anon13

If anyone wants to talk about this/share information etc, I was also one of his victims and it’s helpful to know he is getting his due. You are welcome to contact me on vaughangate@gmail.com – it will be strictly confidential of course. The same goes for Glenda, I have some inside info that I can share as well, and I’m sure there is information I can learn from other sources as well.

34

Another victim

Mr Mount (sorry!!! Vaughan) can threaten and huff and puff – and make the people who aired this article remove and edit the comments from all his victims – but he can no longer contain the fact that his cover is blown wide open. The second meeting of creditors is in Cape Town High Court on Friday 23 August 2013 at 09h00. All bruised people and people who have monies owing are encouraged to attend. The liquidator is Mr Jurgens Steenkamp of KPMG. Now is the time to get in contact with him and file your claims and report all suspicions of wrongdoings perpetrated.

35

HOLLY

TONY VAUGHAN MEETS WITH THE MASTER OF THE HIGH COURT TOMORROW FOR THE LIQUIDATION OF MEDIA NOVA — WHAT A JOKE HE HAS MOVED ALL HIS ASSETS ETC INTO FIVE OTHER COMPANES – HE OWES R10 362 000,00 – YES 10 million TO HIS CREDITORS. ITS TIME FOR PEOPLE TO LAY CRIMINAL CHARGES

36

Another victim

Holly its SUBSTANTIALLY more than that. R10 million is ONE creditor. Luckily there are numerous people giving the liquidators information. And on the criminal front -you will not be disappointed. The point to make is this – if you or anyone reading this have proof of criminal activity – LAY A CHARGE!!!. All the arm flapping in the world from the sidelines will not stop him.

37

Lynn

Concerned

I agree. People need to lay criminal charges ASAP. Vaughan is in possession of UK real estate that could cover a substantial amount of this debt. I mean substantial! There’s a reason why he tries to keep his assets offshore. But the fact is he owns it. He’s also lied to banks etc about his assets in the past. This in itself is fraudulent!

Polsmoor boutique hotel

No news yet but the army of anti-Vaughan campaigners grows stronger. Hope just retribution prevails and he gets what he deserves ie 20 years in Pollsmoor with all the perks reserved for cowards of his type. In the meanwhile the evidence mounts ( no pun intended Tony Vaughan Aka Mount). Seems his real estate empire in London is where he’s stashing his cash…..

43

me

Relieved ex employee

I worked at Media Nova as well and can say I’m not surprised by this at all! While I was there Tony did nothing but threaten his staff with endless (and unwarranted) warnings and did nothing to boost moral or even show his staff that they were valued. In fact he wasn’t at all concerned with his incredibly high staff turnover and never saw the value in keeping valuable staff members around. I’m so glad I got out of there before all this happened.

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